wigs to wishes.org.uk

The “Dawn Hughes Wigs to Wishes Fund” has been set up to enable me to receive further treatment at an Oncology Clinic in Germany where they have had a high success rate in stopping the spread of Cancer in patients and giving them the best possible chance of remission. The Berkshire Cancer Centre have informed me that there is little chance of my Cancer going into remission with the treatment available in this country.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my website. I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself. I'm a wife and mother of 3 young children, Matthew 13, Ellie 10 and Freddie 6. I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2001 at the age of 36. Following Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, I was in remission until a chance MRI scan in Feb 2005 for an unrelated problem, detected that the Cancer had returned. I was then diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer. The likely prognosis given in February was 18 months to 5 years. I then had to undergo aggressive Chemotherapy, but following the results of a recent bone scan, it was found that the Cancer is still spreading. The treatment in Germany will cost thousands of pounds and for most people like myself, the opportunity for this is a dream. Many of my Family and Friends want to make this dream a reality and are making tremendous fund raising efforts, because without them, I would not be able to seek the treatment that I so obviously need and which is not being offered in this country.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

CT Scan results

Rang yesterday to see about my CT scan results and it was suggested that I come in today for an appointment. I thought this was a bit ominous but was relieved to find out that there was nothing new found on the scan. The Oncologist however was not happy that the scan was not conducted correctly in that they couldn't get the second contrast dye injected. She said that although the tumours could be seen on the liver, they couldn't see the smaller one and felt that the scan was not indepth enough to give a correct result. There was a suggestion that we try again but she has decided to go ahead with the Avastin and Faslodex but not the chemo as she feels that my bone marrow has had a lot of hits from chemo and would prefer to give it a rest a bit longer!!

I'm relieved that there appears to be no further spread in the liver, and I suppose relieved that she is holding back with the chemo a bit longer and trying out the Avastin first. Hopefully this will have some effect and slow/stop the spread. It looks like this new treatment will start week beginning 25 Feb. I suggested I would like a bit of quality time with the children during the half term week and as we don't know what side effects I may have the Onc was happy to start treatment after 25th.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Tramadol

I managed to get hold of some Tramadol pain killers which I've had in the past but I forgot what the dosage instructions were so I took them like you would take paracetamol. Well, big mistake. I only took four in the space of 3-4 hours before I went to bed Sunday night. I did feel quite spaced out but very relaxed.

This morning was a completely different story, when I went to get up I got all dizzy and felt really sick. I proceeded to be sick about 7 times. It was almost every time I moved my head. Steve managed to take me down the Doctor's surgery. Here comes the embarressing bit, apart from being sick in the Doctor's surgery and in Steve's car, it appears that I took too many Tramadol in one hit and my body didn't like it!! At least it wasn't anything worse going on. The GP also suggested that I speak with the Cancer unit at the RBH to get my scan results because of the pain I'm getting in my back. She prescribed me more Tramadol but said to take 3-4 in a 24 hour period and not 3!!!

The pain has eased off a lot since starting the new pain relief.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Bad Pain in my back

I've had a really bad pain in the right side of my back for the last couple of days and paracetamol and nurofen don't seem to be touching it. It's really uncomfortable at night so I'm not getting a lot of sleep. I'm a bit worried that there may be other tumour sites now. Just need to get the results from the CT scan.

Monday, January 21, 2008

CT Scan

I started off with the chalky white liquid which I had to drink over a period of an hour and doesn't taste particularly nice but bearable, then I was taken through for the scan. Four needle attempts later the nurses and duty Doctor were unable to get a needle in my arm to administer the "contrast" dye into the veins to see the organs, blood vessels or a tumour easier. The actual scan didn't take very long but I was disappointed that they weren't able to get the needle in for the dye and wonder whether the scan results are going to be sufficient enough.

Now I've probably got to wait 2-4 weeks for the results!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Avastin/Cisplatin update

Saw Dr Chadwick who was very apologetic as they still do not have a date for the start of the Avastin or the Cisplatin but he said he would get his skates on and get the Pharmacy to order it in, he said when the Avastin was on order he would give me a ring to arrange a day for the infusion which could be in the next couple of weeks. Dr Chadwick did mention that it would probably not be possible to have the Avastin and Cisplatin on the same day and then went on to say that they may either stop the Pamidronate or change it to a 6 weekly infusion instead of 4 weekly at present.

Had my usual pamidronate today and the Chemo nurses said that the Cisplatin chemo takes approx 6 hours to administer which includes fluids for 90 mins before the 3 hours chemo infusion, and then another 90 mins of fluids. Blimey, I'll be spending a few pennies that day!! They also said that I would probably have to have the Avastin and Pamidronate on a separate day. They haven't used Avastin before so I'm going to be a guinea pig.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Feeling really under the weather

Over the Christmas period I was suffering with a chesty cough which eventually went with the aid of antibiotics but to be honest I still didn't feel too good and now I've got a nasty cold which has knocked me for six. To top it all I keep getting a pain in my left groin area and in the left side of my back. Obviously things are going through my mind. I think the CT scan next Monday will confirm or rule out any thoughts I'm having.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Caversham Ball Charity donation

I received a cheque this week from the Caversham Ball Committee (Kent, Carey, Mandy, Trina and Paul).

Just want to say thanks to Ruby North for thinking of me and putting my name forward for a donation and to the committee members for agreeing to it.

It really will make a big difference, thanks.